Winter can be a difficult season to experiment with trends. It’s cold, a wet mess outside, and a dry, over-heated mess inside, far from the idle time to bust out the latest cropped sweater, high-waisted culotte fad with pointed-toed heeled boots, or a lace-trimmed, boho maxi dress with slim sneakers. We’re coming off the holiday bloat and trying to stay comfy and cozy. However, if you’re itching to play around with trending fashion to break up the monotony of functional dressing this winter, might I suggest looking to handbags to scratch that stylistic itch?
Bags are sometimes an overlooked accessory moment, more often utilized as a practical matter rather than a form of expressing one’s style. On most days, I carry a boring backpack and a hand-me-down from my husband to transport myself to and from work. True, it has all the various pockets needed for a laptop, water bottle, umbrella, lunch, etc., but it certainly is not an aesthetic choice. So, this winter, I hope to make more fun decisions in the bag department while still dressing practically according to these four purse trends.
First up, and by far my favorite bag trend for 2025, are vintage/vintage-inspired bags. Vintage can also be practical; case in point, doctor bags, with their rectangular shape and curved edges, are roomy enough for all your daily essentials. The modern variety, like Coach’s Georgia Satchel Bag, comes with an additional strap to wear crossbody or over the shoulder to free up hands. For more budget-friendly versions, you can also browse reseller sights like Poshmark or eBay. Any squared or hard-cased bag will add a hint of retro flare to a modern look.
On the flip side of hard, rectangular bags are softer suede shoulder bags. While technically a type of leather, suede is a material that exists in its own category. It was an outerwear trend this past fall that made its way to purses for winter. I’m liking Gap’s Vegan Suede Slouchy Tote Bag in chocolate cake brown. The soft material feels amazing, with plenty of space for everyday items or as a great tote for travel. You can pair a suede bag with a casual look to provide a bit of luxe vibes to your jeans and sneakers, or team the purse with another high-end texture like leather or velvet for extra oomph. An important thing to consider when buying a suede bag is that it will, inevitably, get marked or scuffed, but this arguably adds a retro appeal.
From material to color. Green bags are on the rise for 2025. A lot of factors play into color trends, some more obvious than others. But with a BRAT lime green summer and Wicked Emerald City holiday season, it’s no wonder bag shades from olive to jewel tone have gone over the rainbow into greener pastures. If you’re more drawn to a vibrant, citrus green to brighten up a drab winter look, check out Kate Spade Outlet’s Madison Willow Medium Flap Convertible purse. You can wear this as a shoulder bag or crossbody, and it features an exterior slip pocket and interior zip pocket. The chain is also removable to convert this to a clutch.
If you’re of a more utilitarian bent, then Calpak’s Kaya Backpack in Kiwi can help bring a chic minimalism to your puffy winter coat. I’m a fan of bookbags for work, but they are just as useful for grocery runs, travel, and campus life. The zippered back compartment is specifically sized to accommodate a 15-inch laptop, with multiple zippered interior pockets to keep you organized and a front zip-close pocket for quick access to handy items. With either a bright green shade or a more toned-downed neutral, don’t be afraid to style a green bag with equally vibrant accessories or outerwear. I love the idea of a gray overcoat with a punchy green purse and a soft-lavender scarf. Or pair red boots, a burgundy jacket, and an olive tote. Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you can’t create intriguing color pairings this season.
Next up, and by far the most controversial trend, at least from my personal aesthetic, is fringed bags. Fringe, whether in silk, leather, or beaded forms, is having a moment, as are all things bohemian in 2025. If you’re looking for a standard leather option, check out Urban Outfitters’ Silence + Noise Suede Fringe Hobo Sling bag. This shoulder bag can hit three trends in one piece. It’s suede, comes in an olive shade, and features fringe along the outline of the entire bag, even the strap. For a more whimsical and dressier approach, there’s Akira’s GNO Sating Fringe Purse, which features a cascading fringe trim on the bottom hem, drawstring closure, and an attached hoop and detachable metallic chain link strap. I can’t deny that a fringed purse, especially in an untraditional material, dials up the drama for any look. However, I personally have had adverse reactions to fringe in all its forms. But I’m looking that aside to bring you the most relevant style points for the season. You are welcome.
Want to take some of these bag trends out for a test drive before committing? Then check out some rental services like Rent the Runway or Bag Borrow and Steal to lease a high-end bag to get a feel for it, and then look to mid-market retailers or resellers to purchase a similar version. Also, check out your local thrift store for vintage bags or slightly used fringe and suede bags.
